Trump's Theory, Frayed Ties and a Wasted Lockdown: Weekend Reads

Follow Us Get the newsletter With the U.S. coronavirus death toll surpassing 80,000, President Donald Trump revived a conspiracy theory — backed by no evidence — involving Barack Obama, while the pandemic also brought ties between Washington and Beijing to their worst level since they established diplomatic relations. In the European Union, officials are wondering whether Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is up to the job, while Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is facing questions after a botched coup attempt led by an American gun-for-hire. The world's most populous country, India, may have squandered the impact of its virus lockdown, and experts are asking how Russia, with the second-most number of Covid-19 cases globally, has reported so few deaths. We hope you enjoy these and other of our top stories from the past seven days in this edition of Weekend Reads. — Michael Winfrey Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's president, front center, wears a protective mask alongside ministers during the National Flag Raising ceremony at Alvorada Palace in Brasilia on May 12. Bolsonaro is contending with an escalating political crisis just as Brazil becomes the new global hotspot for the coronavirus pandemic. Photographer: Andre Borges/Bloomberg Click here  for Bloomberg's most compelling political images from the past week. Trump Revives 'Obamagate' Conspiracy on Moves by Grenell, Barr Trump has long complained Obama, the Department of Justice and U.S. intelligence agencies misused their power to undermine him. Chris Strohm reports how Trump's now facing accusations that he's using the same agencies to protect himself and attack rival Joe Biden. Virus Awakens Worst-Case Scenarios for U.S.-China Relationship In January, it seemed like the U.S. and China had avoided a descent into a new Cold War. But since then, the Covid-19 pandemic has edged them closer to confrontation than at any point since they established relations four decades ago. A U.S.-Shaped Void Forces Australia to Stand Up Against China Australia has long sought to nurture a strong alliance with the U.S. and deep trading ties with China. But as the superpowers edge toward hostility, Down Under is standing up to an increasingly assertive Beijing. A day after Trump said "we've prevailed" in expanding testing enough to start reopening the U.S. economy, the president's top health experts warned about the perils of moving too quickly. EU Officials Ask If They Have the Wrong Person Running the Show The European Union's top official is struggling. Ian Wishart reports that as the virus exposes old EU faultlines with a new ferocity, some officials who work with von der Leyen are asking whether she's up to the job. Western Mercenaries Went to Libya to Help Moscow's Man, UN Finds A team of Western mercenaries was deployed to Libya to assist Russian-backed strongman Khalifa Haftar in his offensive to capture Tripoli, according to a United Nations report. Samer Al-Atrush and David Wainer explain how the proxy war is becoming a magnet for hired guns. Experts Question Why Coronavirus Hasn't Killed More Russians As Russia becomes a coronavirus hotspot second only to the U.S., one thing is puzzling health experts: Why so few deaths? Henry Meyer delves into how a country with so many reported cases has such a low rate of fatalities. The World's Biggest Lockdown Has Been Squandered in India More than 50 days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi locked down India, the pandemic's human and economic toll is worsening. Muneeza Naqvi and Ari Altstedter report how economic devastation is forcing the government to ease restrictions even as new cases climb. Now That He Can Annex West Bank Land, Will Netanyahu Do It? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been promising to annex West Bank land the Palestinians want for a state. Gwen Ackerman, Ivan Levingston, and Fadwa Hodali explain that, with Trump in the White House, he's got the backing he needs. And finally ... Since Venezuela quashed a bungled coup led by an American mercenary, a shadow has fallen over Juan Guaido. Alex Vasquez reports how colleagues are questioning their faith in the opposition leader and Washington's approach to removing President Nicolas Maduro. Guaido, who once swore himself in as the leader of Venezuela, listens during a session of the National Assembly at Bolivar Square in Caracas on Feb. 12. Photographer: Carlos Becerra/Bloomberg     A special offer for Balance of Power readers | For just $1.99 a month, get unlimited access to Bloomberg.com, where you'll find trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters.   You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Balance of Power newsletter. Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022